Board of Education Members

Erin Hinkel and her husband, John, have been residents of Fairview Park since 2000. Married for 26 years, they have two children, Connor and Katie. Connor is a 2023 graduate of Fairview High School, and Katie is currently a student at Fairview High School.

Mrs. Hinkel is a 1993 graduate of North Olmsted High School and a 1998 graduate of Cleveland State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. She worked for ten years as a graphic designer and project manager before leaving the workforce to care for her son following his diagnosis of Autism.

Throughout the years, Mrs. Hinkel has been actively involved in supporting families of children with disabilities. She has helped facilitate workshops for families through the Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities and the Transition Boosters group. In 2015, she founded Fairview Park Parents of Special Education, a local support group for families in Fairview Park.

Mrs. Hinkel currently works full-time for the Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities as an Information Specialist and Trainer. She was elected to the Board in 2019 and reelected in 2023. She has served as Board Vice President from 2021 through 2024 and was appointed Board President for the 2025 and 2026 terms.

Term to December 31, 2027.

Mrs. Hinkel serves on the following Board and community committees :

• Policies Committee
• Fairview Parks & Recreation Committee
• Fairview Park City Council
• Fairview Park Music & Theatre Association
• PTA Liaison
• Friends of the FPCS

Email Mrs. Hinkel

Donny Bittala and his husband, Adam, have been residents of Fairview Park since 2017. They have two dogs named after historical figures, Winston Churchill and Eleanor Roosevelt.

A graduate of Strongsville High School, Mr. Bittala earned his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Cincinnati and his Master of Education in Secondary Education (Grades 7–12 Social Studies) from Xavier University. He earned his Ohio administrative license through Notre Dame College and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership at Youngstown State University. 

Mr. Bittala has worked in education for over ten years as both a classroom teacher and administrator, and currently serves as an Upper School Director at an independent school on the west side of Cleveland.

First elected to the Fairview Park City Schools Board of Education in 2019, Mr. Bittala served one term before being appointed to the Fairview Park Education Foundation in 2025. He was elected back to the Board of Education later that same year.

Term to December 31, 2029.

Mr. Bittala serves on the following board and community committees:

• Fairview Park City Council
• Fairview Park Athletic Club (FPAC)
• PTA Liaison

Email Mr. Bittala

Jennifer Bolander and her husband, Brad, have been residents of Fairview Park since 2003. They have two children, Katherine (FHS class of 2017) and Sophia (FHS class of 2022). Mrs. Bolander holds a Bachelor of Arts in English, 1995 cum laude from John Carroll University. She volunteered for the Garnett PTA and the FHS Cheer Boosters. 

Term to December 31, 2027.

Mrs. Bolander serves on the following committees:

• Financial Advisory Committee to the Treasurer (FACT)
• Curriculum Committee
• Polaris Career Center
• PTA Liaison

Email Mrs. Bolander

With over a decade of experience in the field of education, Mr. Jackson has a proven track record of fostering student success both in and out of the classroom. He began his career sharing his passion for Math and Social Studies with middle school students before transitioning into his current leadership role as Assistant Principal for Olmsted Falls High School.

A 2005 Fairview High School alumnus, Mr. Jackson’s educational journey came full circle when he and his wife, Adrienne, moved back to Fairview in 2020. Since returning, they have welcomed two daughters into their family, further deepening their ties to the community.

Mr. Jackson is a two-time graduate of Baldwin-Wallace University, earning his Bachelor’s in Education (2010) and his Master’s in Educational Leadership (2018). He remains dedicated to preparing the next generation of students for a bright future.

Mr. Jackson was appointed to the Board of Education in 2022 and was re-elected to the Board of Education in 2025. Mr. Jackson's term will run through December 31, 2029.

Mr. Jackson serves on the following Board and community committees:

• Curriculum Committee
• Policies Committee
• PTA Liaison
• Friends of the FPCS

Email Mr. Jackson

John Straka and his spouse Katie have resided in Fairview Park since 1999. They are parents to four adult children – Carly Boso (nee Esposito), Chelsea Esposito, Kailey Alflen (nee Straka) and Hallie Straka-Lyons -- all of whom graduated from Fairview Park High School over the past two decades, along with a slew of their cousins, as well.

Mr. Straka earned a B.A. degree in English from The Ohio State University (1977), followed by a Master of Accountancy degree from Cleveland State University (1987).  He holds a Certified Public Accountant license (1990, currently non-practicing). Mr. Straka retired in early-2021 after a 36-year career as a commercial banker and commercial credit approval officer, primarily in Asset-Based Lending and Middle Market. His business career also included a brief stint in public accounting.

Mr. Straka was elected to the school board in November 2023 and began serving his four-year term in January 2024. Mr. Straka's term goes through December 31, 2027.  

Mr. Straka serves on the following Board and community committees:

• Financial Advisory Committee to the Treasurer (FACT)
• Fairview Park Education Foundation
• Fairview Park Community Council
• PTA Liaision

Email Mr. Straka